After white smoke was spotted billowing out of the Sistine Chapel, crowds began amassing in Vatican Square, awaiting word of who will lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.

And the winner is: Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

The 266th pope, Bergoglio, a Jesuit and the first pope from the New World, will take on the title of Pope Francis I.

Though Bergoglio, 76, has been called a champion of the poor—and washed and kissed the feet of twelve AIDS patients at a hospice in 2001—he affirms the Church’s teachings on homosexuality and thoroughly opposed same-sex marriage legislation in Argentina.

In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires, he wrote:

“Let’s not be naive, we’re not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

Bergoglio also claimed that gay couples adopting was a form of discrimination against children, a stance Argentina president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said was reminiscent of “medieval times and the Inquisition.”

Get Queerty Daily

15 Comments

Of course the Catholics have ignored the commandment about creating Idols because that is all they are about, thinking that men create the rules that no other religion has. Most of their rules were not even in place when the church was created. So why did they create them? To control their people and their money and property.

March 13, 2013 at 3:03pm

Cam

Why would we see a shift? Benedict increased the number of Cardinals voting to insure his own election, and he has now had the beholden choose a person he fully supported. No difference.

March 13, 2013 at 3:03pm

2eo

Oh good, I can’t wait to see this paedophile wax lyrical about the Falklands.

Why do these c*nts live while good, honest people suffer. It’s so sad that these horrible criminals are lauded so much.

March 13, 2013 at 3:03pm

Hansolo

Same old story …same old song. I wonder if he himself follows all the laws of Leviticus.

March 13, 2013 at 3:03pm

2eo

Actually this could be a really good thing if played correctly by the UK media. An Argentinian catholic pope could be the final nail in the catholic coffin here in Britain.

We need a concerted effort to really show the people of Britain that this is the horrible news that it is. I would even consider implied support of the church of England if they pushed for a frosting of relations with catholicism.

Does seem like it could happen, we have an archbishop of Canterbury who comes from an oil background. This could be the death nail in the catholic coffin tens of millions of us here in Britain and the billions all over the world hope it could be.

AndrewIB

I can’t get worked up about an organisation that preaches so much bigotry and hatred..it goes in the face of what Christianity is supposed to be all about, Compassion and Love. If someone dislikes me or makes me feel unwelcome I simply don’t associate myself with it or them and this is precisely the stance I shall continue to adopt regarding the Catholic or any other Church.. I’m sorry if I offend others here but why get bothered by something that doesn’t recognise us as loving people..Simplest thing to do is ignore it.

With all of the talk about the archbishop of Ghana, I clearly stated in earlier threads that it would never happen. No way was the Catholic church going to elevate an African before it did a Latino. The future of the catholic church resides in Central and South America where 50% of the worlds catholics reside.

March 13, 2013 at 4:03pm

timelord89

As a Catholic, myself I see him as a stepping stone in the right direction he is a champion of liberation theology, Catholic education, and the poor, guess where all my allies in creating a Queer Youth Ministry program that actually creates a safe place for Queer youth in their Catholic families. In practitioners of Liberation Theology, Catholic Education, and people who work with the poor, with a the champion of those three being the lead of the Church, I think I am no longer going to be royally screwed every time I approach meetings for Archdiocese approval anymore. He is also a great fan for Social Justice, which is the left wing of the Catholic Church, it is the only wing of the Catholic Church that has fought for any form of Queer Rights, I think that even with all the stupid things he has said about Gay Marriage Equality, I think maybe he can have at least an open ear for reason. Come on he is also a man of science as well, he was at first a chemist before even becoming a priest. Give him a chance.

2eo

@Derek Williams: The problem with these studies is they never ask the proper questions.

Yet again this study shows that they are supportive as long as it isn’t remotely comparable to their privilege. They loathe the idea of equality and subvert the meaning to make them look less bigoted.

March 13, 2013 at 8:03pm

manxxxx

@timelord89: He is far from a champion of liberation theology which as you must know is unilaterally rejected by the hierarchy appointed by JPII and BXVI each of whom spoke out against it. He has a stellar record of being a strong opponent of Oscar Romero and Boff. My expectations for change coming from this group of electors was very low from the outset. When all electors are appointees of JPII and BXVI the chances of change are pretty slim.